CES: Pioneer, Philips, Panasonic and Toshiba Show Stand-Alone DVD Recorders

by Stephen Muratore, Smart TV & Sound Editor in Chief

CES 2002 saw the introduction of several devices in a new category: stand-alone DVD recorders. These disc burners are not computer based; they are meant to replace the VCR in the home theater environment. All can record both television programs off the air and videos fed to it from camcorders or VCRs to DVD-R discs. Pioneer demonstrated both its Elite DVR-7000 free-standing (not computer-based) DVD recorder and its DVR-3000 unit. The 7000 has been in the market since 2001, but the 3000 won’t ship until June this year. The 7000 sells for $2,000 MSRP; the 3000 should sell for about half that price.

Philips had its DVDR985 free-standing DVD recorder on display as well. This unit should appear in the market at the end of February for $999.

Panasonic showed its DMR-E20K unit, currently selling at $1500.00.
Toshiba showed a prototype labelled the RD-2000. This unit had an 80 GB hard drive in addition to its DVD burner. It had PVR functionality, with the added benefit of archiving favorite programs to DVD discs. Toshiba would not say when such a product will reach the market, nor at what price.

While Pioneer’s units use DVD-RW technology, the one from Philips uses DVD+RW. Panasonic recorders and the Toshiba prototype recorded both DVD-RW and DVD-RAM.